Innovative Masonry Ideas

Material Unit Lifting Enhancer (MULE)

In the summer of 2019 the MULE has made its debut in Wisconsin on some elementary schools.  This assistance device may play a role in extending the service life of the masons, while increasing installation production. The MULE is proving to be valuable with 12” and 16” wide CMU, as well as the new 32” long CMU. It is yet undetermined if the MULE will be used to install 8” or 10” CMU.

Findorff Construction experiments with rented MULE devices on their Poynette Elementary School project.  Masons installing 12” CMU here.
MULE aids mason to lift heavy units over conduit and rebar.
Mason pushes button on MULE to activate load sensor to release block when laid on the mortar.
Four MULE units on Hydro-Mobile scaffold at 12” CMU gymnasium wall.  Notice masonry lintels at openings – they are faster, less expensive, and more robust than steel lintels.

New 8” x 8” x 32” CMU in Wisconsin

In the Fall of 2019, these larger format CMU units are being used in Wisconsin for the first time.  The contractor is experimenting with these units to explore unit quality/tolerances and productivity. The units shown below are made with lightweight aggregate and weigh 64-pounds each.

Scored 8” x 8” x 32” lightweight CMU weighs 64-pounds
Contractor experimenting with these new units at interior partitions.
Partially reinforced interior partition with new 8” x 8” x 32” lightweight CMU.  Based on the height of these walls, no reinforcement is required.
Material Unit Lifting Enhancers (MULE) are used to lift 8” x 8” x 32” CMU in place.

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